Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Travelers Rest, SC?

• Explicit answer: Yes. Short‑term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Travelers Rest, but only in the owner’s primary residence. The property must be registered annually with the city, the owner must hold a city business license, and the operation must meet all safety and tax obligations.
• Definition: A residential short‑term rental is the rental of a dwelling unit or bedroom for less than 29 consecutive days.
• Operating constraint: The STR must be the owner’s primary residence (owner resides overnight on the property when guests are present).

How to start a short‑term rental business in Travelers Rest

1. Confirm eligibility and zoning

• Confirm the STR will be operated in your primary residence. The city’s STR rules apply to owner‑occupied, primary residences only.

2. Register your STR annually

• Registration year: April 15 to April 14 of the following year.
• Fee: $250 per registration year.
• Submission options:
  • In person: Travelers Rest City Hall, 125 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.
  • By mail: Complete the Short‑Term Rental Registration Form and mail with the $250 fee to Travelers Rest City Hall, 125 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest, SC 29690, Attn: Renee Smouse.
  • Online: Use the City’s Cloudpermit portal.

3. Obtain a business license

• Business licenses are valid from May 1 to April 30 of the following year and must be renewed each calendar year.
• Application options:
  • In person at City Hall.
  • By mail with the Business License Application.
  • Online via Cloudpermit.
• License fee: Calculated based on gross revenue; see the city’s Business License Application for current fee schedules and methods of payment.

4. Complete safety compliance

• Fire Safety Compliance Inspection: All STRs must be inspected annually by the City’s Fire Marshal. Schedule and pass the inspection before hosting guests.

5. Set up tax registration and remittance

• Collect and remit the following taxes:
  • 5% State Sales Tax.
  • 2% State Accommodations Tax.
  • 3% Local Accommodations Tax (City of Travelers Rest).
• Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) as required for sales and accommodations tax reporting.
• Submit returns and payments on the state’s prescribed schedule (monthly or quarterly depending on liability). Maintain records for audit.

6. Launch and manage operations

• Maintain compliance materials on‑site:
  • Valid STR registration.
  • Valid business license.
  • Fire inspection certificate.
  • Proof of tax registration and remittance history.
• Keep guest records consistent with city and state requirements and be responsive to city inquiries.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• STR Registration
  • Completed Short‑Term Rental Registration Form.
  • $250 registration fee.
  • Proof of primary residency (owner‑occupied requirement).
• Business License
  • Completed Business License Application.
  • Business information and gross revenue estimate for fee calculation.
  • Valid identification.
• Safety and Compliance
  • Fire Safety Compliance Inspection certificate (annual).
  • Documentation demonstrating compliance with applicable fire and building codes as determined by the inspection.
• Taxes
  • SCDOR tax account registration for State Sales Tax (5%) and State Accommodations Tax (2%).
  • Registration for and remittance of the City of Travelers Rest Local Accommodations Tax (3%).
  • Recordkeeping to substantiate tax collected and remitted.
• Optional but recommended records
  • Site plan and floor plan of the rental unit (facilitates inspection and licensing).
  • Property insurance documentation.
  • Guest communication protocols and house rules (support good neighbor relations).

Specific regulations and obligations for Travelers Rest STRs

• Eligibility: STRs must be the owner’s primary residence; owner must reside overnight on the property when guests are present.
• Term limit: Rentals must be for less than 29 consecutive days.
• Annual registration: Required each year (registration year runs April 15–April 14; $250 fee).
• Business license: Required; valid May 1–April 30; renewed each year.
• Safety inspection: Annual Fire Safety Compliance Inspection by the City’s Fire Marshal.
• Taxes:
  • State Sales Tax: 5%.
  • State Accommodations Tax: 2%.
  • Local Accommodations Tax: 3% (City of Travelers Rest).
• Enforcement: The city provides a dedicated STR ordinance and compliance process; registration and licensing must be kept current to avoid enforcement action.

Important note on scope: If the property is not the owner’s primary residence, the city’s STR rules as presented do not authorize operation. In that case, consult the Planning & Zoning Department to confirm any allowances or pathways. If none exist, consider adjacent jurisdictions that may allow STRs in non‑owner‑occupied scenarios; but operation in Travelers Rest without meeting the primary‑residence requirement would not be compliant under current city guidance.

State and county context (South Carolina)

• State level (South Carolina): No comprehensive statewide STR statute. Local municipalities regulate STRs through local ordinances. South Carolina’s definition of a short‑term rental generally includes rentals for less than 30 consecutive days.
• County level: Travelers Rest is in Greenville County. The city’s rules govern within city limits. If operating in unincorporated Greenville County, county zoning and permitting would apply; the county may also administer a local accommodations tax. Verify county requirements with Greenville County if your property lies outside city limits.

Contact information for the local authority

• City of Travelers Rest – Planning & Zoning (STR Registration and General Inquiries)
  • Phone: 864.834.8740
  • Email: Contact Renee Smouse at the City (see registration details above)
  • Address: Travelers Rest City Hall, 125 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest, SC 29690
  • Online Registration/Permitting: Cloudpermit portal
  • City Website: see the official STR page referenced below

Links to source pages and official documents

• City of Travelers Rest – Short‑Term Rentals (Airbnb) page
  • travelersrestsc.com/businesses/departments/planning-zoning/short-term-rentals-airbnb/
• City of Travelers Rest – Short‑Term Rental Registration Form
  • travelersrestsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Short-Term-Rental-Registration-Form.pdf
• City of Travelers Rest – Business License Application
  • travelersrestsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/businesslicenseapp05142020.pdf
• City of Travelers Rest – Short‑Term Rentals Ordinance (O‑18‑20)
  • travelersrestsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Ordinance-O_18_20-Short-term-rentals.pdf
• Cloudpermit (City of Travelers Rest permitting portal)
  • us.cloudpermit.com/login

Practical compliance checklist for ongoing operations

• Before listing:
  • Confirm owner‑occupied, primary‑residence status.
  • Complete STR registration and pay the $250 fee for the current registration year.
  • Obtain and keep a valid business license (May 1–April 30).
  • Pass the Fire Safety Compliance Inspection.
  • Register for state and local tax accounts; set up reporting cadence.
• Before hosting each season:
  • Verify registration, business license, and fire inspection are current.
  • Confirm tax remittances are up to date.
  • Review guest rules and neighborhood compatibility (noise, parking, occupancy).
• Recordkeeping:
  • Keep copies of registration, license, and inspection certifications on‑site or digitally.
  • Maintain tax returns and proof of remittance.
  • Retain guest communications and logs as applicable for local and state requirements.

Final guidance for investors

• Travelers Rest allows STRs, but the operative constraint is clear: the property must be your primary residence. This is materially different from markets that permit non‑owner‑occupied STRs. If your strategy relies on owning an investment property that you do not occupy, Travelers Rest’s current rules will not accommodate that use. Before acquiring a property for STR operations, confirm your ability and intent to establish primary residency at the subject property, or pivot to jurisdictions that allow non‑owner‑occupied STRs under their zoning and permitting frameworks.